In the Garden with Pat Rubin

Bee garden writer Pat Rubin writes about everything that grows, from flowers and trees to vegetables and lawns. Pat volunteered for several years as a Placer County Master Gardener and has written about gardening for many national and regional publications. In addition to gardening, she spends time raising and showing miniature horses and miniature donkeys.

In the Garden will include news, events, advice and other gardening tidbits. Pat will also answer reader questions.

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December 19, 2007

Next exit, North Pole

A day or two after Thanksgiving, someone decorated this tree at the I-80 west bound on-ramp at Meadow Vista. A few days later, a tree on the other side of the freeway suddenly sported gold ornaments and garlands. Then another. And another.

It’s been happening every year for quite a while. I’ve never seen anyone out there putting up the decorations, but have to admit it makes me smile every time I drive by get on and off the freeway there on my way home.

I asked Meadow Vista resident Gordon Ainsley, who some years ago adopted the interchange as part of the Caltrans “Adopt a Highway” program and has already planted a small forest of cedars and other trees, if he knew who puts up the decorations. One year, just after Thanksgiving, he explains, someone decorated a tree. Then another. He figures three or four families are responsible for the holiday decorations but doesn’t know who they are.

So whoever you are, thank you.

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